Diva Sales Tips

Last Friday I hosted 12- 12 year olds for a birthday collage party for my niece.  Everyone had scissors, glue, a pile of magazines, poster board and I said…

“No rules! Just put on the poster all of the things you’d like to see this year -
everything you love!”

It was wild – if you saw clouds of “snow” over my house – it wasn’t snow at all…it was little pieces of paper from my 12 Edward ScissorHands!

I really loved watching the girls – they were yakking up a storm, lots of laughing and I noticed 2 very important things.

Things that apply to you too Lady!

Do You Have Second-Guess Paralysis?

50% of the girls went crazy clipping stuff – honestly they had so many pictures they had to flip the paper and use the backside.

The other 50% had collages that were almost barren.  Just a few random pictures.  And what did I hear them asking?

“Do you guys like this picture? Do you think I should use it? My collage is ugly…”

They were stuck.  They had what I lovingly call Second Guess Paralysis.  They didn’t trust themselves.

Of course I jumped in and told them their collage was off to great start! I  then asked what kind of food, flowers, movies, actors, pets, animals, fashion, places in the world, books, music etc that they liked ….and their 12-year old sparkling eyes LIT UP….and immediately their collages started filling up like crazy too!

(They had no idea they’d just been Diva-dized)

The second thing I noticed?

The girls that were ROCKING right out of the gate – did this:

“Hey everyone – I’ve got a picture of a dog – anyone need it?”

“Hey guys – I need a picture of a cat – do you have one?”

Get the picture?

What Are You Paralyzed About?

Are you currently feeling stuck about …

• How to jump in on social media?
• How to get new customers?
• Your lack-luster sales?
• How and why you should network?
• How you can get media coverage?
• Your website/ezine/blog?
• Fill in the _____________?

Listen cupcake – I know what you’re up to.

You’re trying to be PERFECT.

You don’t want to SCREW-UP.

You don’t want anyone to laugh at your “collage”!

Gotcha – didn’t I?

Guess what? You’ve got the basics down – all you need is to ASK some questions.  Who can you help and WHO can HELP YOU?

Here’s your Sales Diva Dare.  If you want to be more successful then you need

to step out of Second-Guess Paralysis.

Within the next 48 hours I want you to TAKE ACTION on something you’ve been stalling on in your business. (Yeah – THAT THING THAT JUST POPPED INTO YOUR HEAD)

Share how Second-Guess Paralysis is affecting your business and what you’re doing to overcome it, in the comments!

Love from your bossy Sales Diva,

Kim

P.S. I’m devoted to helping as many women entrepreneurs and women in sales as I can.  If you know of someone who would love to learn HOW TO SELL THE RIGHT WAY, then please encourage them to sign up at www.salesdivas.com and we’ll get them on the track to success!

This weeks question comes from Kristi Stuart of Belterra Land Company

Hi Kim,

I have been receiving your sales tips for the past few months now and they have been invaluable! I’m proud to say I no longer speak with a Valley Girl voice

The main challenge I am facing right now is how to grow my network. I sell land as an investment and use referrals from past customers to grow my business. The great news is that most of my clients have referred me to their friends, but the bad news is that I am not growing my business at the rate I want!! I’ve attended some networking meetings but find that these are not very helpful. The reason being is that the minimum investment for a unit of land in our projects is $15000, most people who attend these meetings are looking to meet new contacts, not to shell out money for an investment!

Do you know of any unique ways I can get out there and grow my network??

Thanks so much for your help Kim,

Kristi Stuart
Investment Consultant
Belterra Land Company
http://www.belterraland.com

Share your advice with Kristi in the comments below

Our question this week is from Jolayn Jumaga at Iris Essences

We sell health remedies that are highly effective and sold by doctors but the general public
just looks confused when we tell them what we sell.

When people are very cautious about
spending money they view unknown products such as ours as non-essential expenses when in fact it has
been proven to be the opposite…..

How does one create excitement about a product line that is brand new to most people and
that they just won’t ‘get’ without trying themselves?

thanks for your help!

p.s. your sales ‘does’ and ‘don’ts’ are right on the money

Jolayn Jumaga
Iris Essences

www.irisessences.com

Share your advice with Jolayn (and me!) in the comments of this post

We can always use more questions so send in one. Wouldn’t you love to benefit from free advice from fabulous women all over the world? (and one certain Sales Diva)

Send your own Dazzle This Diva question to:info@salesdivas.com and don’t forget to include a link to your website!

Once again, here’s your opportunity to not only send a sales and marketing related question to me BUT TO ALSO leave your opinion or suggestion, helpful hint or resource for other people who have posted a question!

This weeks question comes from Carolyn Feder of Sensory Interior Design :

Dear Sales Diva,

I always look forward to receiving your emails.
They are informative, clever and uplifting.
Before I heard your voice on the internet, I could hear the energy coming through the messages!
We have crossed paths at just the right time.
I have added a new facet to my career and it is devoted to helping children and adults with Learning Differences and the Autism Spectrum.
By applying specialized techniques that affect the rooms they are in, such as home, school and work, we turn chaotic spaces into peaceful environments.
The clientele I need to reach are therapists and specialized schools. What I do is subliminal and yet very visual. Not everyone I visit is visual and I have difficulty at times explaining the benefits, although I have photos of before and afters.
I have just launched a new website that took a long time to create.
It contains words and photos for everyone to relate to.
Any suggestions how to relate to those who tend to deal with just the facts?
Please visit my site:
sensoryinteriordesign.com
Thank you very much.

Regards,

Carolyn Feder
Dallas, Texas

Share your advice with Carolyn (and me!) in the comments of this post

We can always use more questions so send in one. Wouldn’t you love to benefit from free advice from fabulous women all over the world? (and one certain Sales Diva)

Send your own Dazzle This Diva question to:info@salesdivas.com and don’t forget to include a link to your website!

Once again, here’s your opportunity to not only send a sales and marketing related question to me BUT TO ALSO leave your opinion or suggestion, helpful hint or resource for other people who have posted a question!

This weeks question is from Elizabeth Campbell Duke (no relation to yours truly) of Blinking Star Antiques:

Hi Kim,  I just read through the advice to Catherine who sells jewellery through home parties. We have what I think of as the “opposite” problem. Our main business is selling a service that is neither inexpensive nor fun (for the clients). In fact, we meet people when they are going through one of the 2 most stressful times of their lives – a nasty divorce or the death of a loved one.

My husband, Tony Duke, is an antique and personal property appraiser, and I work on the marketting and sales end of things.

We moved to our present location on Vancouver Island last November. As we began to get clients, we were often asked whether we could sell some of the goods. As a related business we now have an antique shop that is busy during the summer months, and slower during the winter (www.BlinkingStar.ca). We cannot ethically offer to purchase anything we have appraised, so we sell goods on consignment.

Sounds great, but things are slow…. and I resigned from my teaching job to learn marketting and sales!

Presently, we are focussing the appraisal marketting at the professionals who can refer us to clients (lawyers, estate planners, insurance agents….) and to the general public through appearances at charity “Roadshow Appraisal” fundraisers and through workshops we run ourselves (which are fun if we can get people out to them). We aim for at least 1 “appearance” per month, and are trying to get Tony into our local community college’s “Elder College” as a speaker for the upcoming fall and winter semesters. Tony has been on the Canadian Antiques Roadshow, and we have permission to use their logo – which we do.

The antique shop is focussed on higher end, but “affordable” (for the antique world) items and quality locally made arts and crafts (funky fused glass, candles, soaps and lotions). We’re working on developing the “Antiques are Green” and “Less is More” ethics… especially if the “Less” is of excellent quality.

We have agreed that to put anything on “sale” gives people the impression that our “regular” prices are too high – both in the appraisals end of things as well as at the antique shop. It seems like we’re …..almost there, but we need some tweakin’. I know we live on the Island, but I’m still on mainland time – and we need to kick-start these businesses.

Elizabeth Campbell Duke
Blinking Star Antiques
http://www.BlinkingStar.ca
http://www.TonyDuke.ca

Share your advice with Elizabeth (and me!) in the comments of this post

We can always use more questions so send in one. Wouldn’t you love to benefit from free advice from fabulous women all over the world? (and one certain Sales Diva)

Send your own Dazzle This Diva question to:info@salesdivas.com and don’t forget to include a link to your website!

Once again, here’s your opportunity to not only send a sales and marketing related question to me BUT TO ALSO leave your opinion or suggestion, helpful hint or resource for other people who have posted a question!

This weeks question is from Omega Smith of Style Reveal:

Hi Kim,

I just found you website and I think it’s great! your ideas are so fresh and alive.

I just started my online apparel (dresses) and accessories company with Ebay, which I have been preparing for a few years, writing my business plan etc. Now with the economy downsizing and retail stores closing I felt that having an online store would be great by saving women gas, and time on busy schedules.

The twist to my site is that is gives clients styling tips and advice for free from when they make a purchase via phone or email for as long as they need, but I’m not making any headway, and I was wondering if you had any suggestions on how I could put myself more out there to boost sales?

Thanks so much in advance,

Sincerely,

Omega Smith
Stylist/Owner
Style Reveal
http://stores.ebay.ca/Style-Reveal

Share your advice with Omega (and me!) in the comments of this post

We can always use more questions so send in one. Wouldn’t you love to benefit from free advice from fabulous women all over the world? (and one certain Sales Diva)

Send your own Dazzle This Diva question to:info@salesdivas.com and don’t forget to include a link to your website!

Once again, here’s your opportunity to not only send a sales and marketing related question to me BUT TO ALSO leave your opinion or suggestion, helpful hint or resource for other people who have posted a question!

This weeks question is courtesy of Catherine Trueman:

Dear Kim,

I recently discovered your website and e-newsletter after reading an article in an Ellevate Women in Business e-newsletter I receive. Your tips are fantastic! Thank you for sharing your wonderful ideas.

A challenge I am facing right now with my direct sales jewellery business is getting people to book parties. Prior to our economic downturn, my party calendar was full. Now, people keep telling me they are watching their pennies, don’t have extra money to spend, and don’t feel comfortable asking their friends to spend money when they know their friends are also watching their pennies. People are wanting to wait to hold their parties until they and their friends are feeling more financially secure. Any suggestions? I need parties now, not later!

Thanks in advance for any help you may impart.

Best Regards,

Catherine

Catherine Trueman, Star Stylist
Stella & Dot
http://www.stelladot.com/ctrueman

How are you handling changes in the economy? What’s worked for you? Share your advice with Catherine (and me!) in the comments of this post

We can always use more questions so send in one. Wouldn’t you love to benefit from free advice from fabulous women all over the world? (and one certain Sales Diva)

Send your own Dazzle This Diva question to:info@salesdivas.com and don’t forget to include a link to your website!

Once again, here’s your opportunity to not only send a sales and marketing related question to me BUT TO ALSO leave your opinion or suggestion, helpful hint or resource for other people who have posted a question!

This weeks question comes from Catherine Christensen of Leagal Nurses of Canada :

Hi Kim,

I am launching a service that is relatively new to Canada. It is legal nurse consulting which provides expertise to lawyers who do medical liability, product liability, personal injury, Workers’ Compensation and other types of claims related to medical cases.

My question is this: how do I get past the “dragon at the gate” so that the lawyer knows of my service as well as why I am THE nurse expert who will help make the case a winner?

Thanks for your help!

Catherine Christensen RN MA
Legal Nurse Consultant
http://www.legalnursesofcanada.com

I can’t wait to hear my reader advice on how you take that first step to get your foot in the door and make a name for yourself. Share your thoughts with Catherine (and me!) in the comments of this post

We can always use more questions so send in one. Wouldn’t you love to benefit from free advice from fabulous women all over the world? (and one certain Sales Diva)

Send your own Dazzle This Diva question to:info@salesdivas.com and don’t forget to include a link to your website!

Once again, here’s your opportunity to not only send a sales and marketing related question to me BUT TO ALSO leave your opinion or suggestion, helpful hint or resource for other people who have posted a question!

This weeks question comes from Andreea Ayers of Tees For Change :

Hi Kim,

I subscribe to your newsletter and absolutely love it. I saw that you’re taking questions, so here’s mine:

What’s the best way to build a contact list? Let’s say for example that I would like to target gift shop buyers at golf resorts, but I don’t have any contacts in that industry. Do I go to golf conferences, do I read golf magazines, do I buy a list (if so, from where), do I get a golf resorts directory (if so, from where) and find out who the gift shop buyer is, etc. What’s your take on this?

Thanks so much in advance,
Andreea
http://www.teesforchange.com

I can’t wait to hear my reader advice on how you built your lists and made your contacts. Share your thoughts with Andreea (and me!) in the comments of this post

We can always use more questions so send in one.  Wouldn’t you love to benefit from free advice from fabulous women all over the world? (and one certain Sales Diva)

Send your own Dazzle This Diva question to:info@salesdivas.com and don’t forget to include a link to your website!

Once again, here’s your opportunity to not only send a sales and marketing related question to me BUT TO ALSO leave your opinion or suggestion, helpful hint or resource for other people who have posted a question!

This week’s question is from Nicole Geisen. She asks:

“I have had several customers who had made purchases for 4-6 months and then quit. What is the best way to keep in touch with these people without nagging them about making a purchase?”

Nicole Geisen
Herbalife Independent Distributor
http://www.nicoleshealthyherbs.com

Have your say! How do you keep in touch with your clients?  Leave your thoughts in the comments of this post.

Don’t forget, we can always use more questions so send in one.  Wouldn’t you love to benefit from free advice from fabulous women all over the world? (and one certain Sales Diva)

Send your own Dazzle This Diva question to:info@salesdivas.com and don’t forget to include a link to your website!